You don't mess with a 9-game win streak, right? While I don't want to be a jinx, it is always best to do your re-evaluating from a position of strength rather than from relative weakness.

This streak didn't just start nine games ago. It began in 2003, in Arlington, Texas. It is the year A-Rod won his first MVP (as well as a Gold Glove) and helped mentor rookie phenom First Baseman Mark Teixeira.

Alex Rodriguez needed a friend and an ally on this team considering the mess (much self-created) that surrounds him. And since his return from injury, Alex has paid him back in a big way.

A-Rod has been back for 13 games and the Bombers are 11-2. You look at his numbers and they aren't eye-popping: .171 BA, but 5 HR, 10 RBI, and 12 BB. His presence in the middle of the order, and the protection he provides for Teixeira is exactly what the Yankees lineup needed.

Teixeira's numbers in those 13 games: .354 BA, 6 HR, 17 RBI.

All of a sudden, all the issues seem to be sorting themselves out.

>The Bullpen.

Naturally, the pen hasn't been taxed as much with the rotation churning out quality starts (until Joba's bad break last night).

Alfredo Aceves has been as much a key to this winning streak as anyone. He has 5 appearances in that stretch with 9.1 scoreless IP, 3 Wins and 1 Hold.

Brian Bruney is back and Mariano looks like himself again.

>The Catching

There are two schools of thought here.

1) The catcher position is an art. How you handle a pitching staff is far more important than any productivity at the plate or percentage of runners caught stealing. Crash Davis and Joe Girardi know this. Or...

2) The best help a catcher can provide a pitcher is a 3-Run Home Run.

I believe the former, especially when you have a lineup full of high-priced lumber. I thought Molina should have been the starter before Posada went down. Francisco Cervelli has come on and played the position beautifully. But not everyone agrees, and that's fine.

One of the Molina-haters on this site posted right after Jorge went on the DL "It's good to know that we won't have any blowout losses until Posada comes back." Actually, there's been one, a 12-5 loss to Baltimore on May 9. Which was caught by Cervelli. Molina still has no marks next to his name in that regard this season.

When the Yankees have a full deck, I think they need to carry all 3 catchers on their roster. When Jorge shakes the wear and tear of being the regular backstop, his production at the DH spot is sure to skyrocket. 

>The Top of the Order

Leave it to the last year of his deal for Johnny Damon to have his best stretch in Pinstripes. He's 2nd on the team in HR and RBI, and 1st in Runs and Slugging. He even threw out a runner trying to stretch a single to a double a couple of days ago.

Not only is he in a big-time groove, but his swing is perfect for the New House, and you know he will be clutch in October.

I always thought you bat your best hitter in the #3 slot, and that's what he is right now. Not just a power hitter, a terror on the bases for the guys behind him to knock home.

I favored Melky for the #2 hole, a spray hitter who works counts and will make the opposing starter show everything he's got. But Cano had quite the auspicious debut there last night.

Suddenly Joe Girardi looks like he's making all the right moves. See what happens when big money comes off the DL? 

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